The Dallas Cowboys’ list of inactive players against the Atlanta Falcons for Week 9 is a bit wild as far as big names go. There’s a total of three First-Team All-Pro players in it and it was close to being four.

That isn’t to say they’re all current starts (Ezekiel Elliott’s All Pro honors came way back in 2016, more on him later) but it’s still pretty surprising to look at. 

Cornerback Trevon Diggs tested his calf in warmups leading up to the game and was a true gametime decision: He will be active for the game and will take the field in Atlanta. That’s major news for a banged-up secondary. Below is the full list of Cowboys inactives.

• DE Micah Parsons
• CB DaRon Bland
• RB Ezekiel Elliott
• QB Trey Lance (emergency QB)
• DE K.J. Henry
• OL Matt Waletzko

Notes on Cowboys inactives

• If Diggs being ready to go wasn’t good enough already, the Cowboys get another cornerback back as fifth-round rookie Caelen Carson returns to the field today. Even though he’s far from a great player yet, Carson being back is a huge upgrade over the likes of Andrew Booth Jr. and Amani Oruwariye.
• reportedly. What those are remain to be seen but Zeke was struggling on the field quite a bit.

• DaRon Bland was activated to the 53-man roster but didn’t practice all week. There should be serious concerns about a potential setback after he appeared to be ready to return back in Week 6.